The promise of computer science has turned into a nightmare

CS grads face high unemployment; AI blamed, despite tech job promises.

: Unemployment rates for fresh computer science graduates are alarmingly high, ranging from 6.1% to 7.5%, surpassing those of biology and art history majors. A Federal Reserve Bank of New York study indicates AI programming is reducing entry-level tech jobs while tech giants like Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft are reducing workforce numbers. Graduates like Manasi Mishra and Zach Taylor struggle to find jobs despite extensive application efforts and being in a tech-filled job market. Some graduates find creative ways to secure positions, like Mishra, who turned to social media to share her job search challenges and ultimately landed an opportunity.

The initial promise that coding skills would lead to financial prosperity has not only faltered but turned into a desperate situation for many recent computer science graduates. These young professionals face unemployment rates between 6.1% and 7.5%, which is double the unemployment rates for majors such as biology and art history. This predicament has left graduates like Manasi Mishra and Zach Taylor questioning the established belief that a degree in computer science is a direct gateway to a lucrative career in the tech industry.

The high unemployment rate among these graduates can be partly attributed to the advancements in artificial intelligence, which have led to the elimination of junior-level positions across the tech industry. Furthermore, big tech companies such as Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft have been slashing jobs, which has compounded the problem. In the case of Mishra and Taylor, despite having spent a significant amount of time and effort on applications, they only had a handful of interviews without any job offers, highlighting the challenging job market.

Illustrating the difficulties these graduates face, Zach Taylor applied to nearly 6,000 tech jobs but was granted only 13 interviews and ended up with zero job offers. Even entry-level jobs outside the tech space, such as those at McDonald's, dismissed candidates for a "lack of experience." However, not all is bleak for Mishra, who eventually secured employment through a savvy cold application process, with a boost from her social media posts on TikTok about the problematic job market.

The trend is not limited to a few isolated cases; it reflects a larger systemic problem fueled by an "AI doom loop," where both job seekers and companies rely heavily on AI for their hiring processes. Candidates use AI tools to mass-apply for jobs while companies use AI algorithms to automatically filter and reject applicants, often within minutes of receiving applications.

The situation calls for a reassessment of how AI technology is integrated into the hiring process and also questions the emphasis placed on specific degree programs as guaranteed paths to career success. Graduates are encouraged to explore opportunities in diverse fields and look beyond traditional tech roles, adapting to a rapidly shifting job landscape that increasingly values ingenuity and resilience.

Sources: New York Times, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, TikTok

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